Do what you love – Just check-in at the reality desk please …

There is a fine line between dreams and reality, it's up to you to draw it.  ~B. Quilliam

As you likely know if you have read my writings for a period of time, I am all about doing what you love – what drives your passion – in your career and life for that matter. Those engaged in work or life situation where they are fulfilled, motivated and enjoy,  prosper, grow and lead happier lives.

But there is another element to consider – reality.

I was just reading about one of the Occupiers in NYC who had a good job teaching in the NYC school system but felt unfulfilled. He quit his job and embarked to complete his Master’s degree in Puppetry (the art – not the new technology).  Obviously he enjoyed this. The reality was that now over a year later hounded by school loans he could not find a job in his chosen field.

I did a scan of the national job market. With over 4 million job postings, there were two that were looking for those with experience and interest in the field of puppetry. Only two – not very promising for sure. A sure case for doing a reality check before launching in a new direction.

One of the critical processes I bring my clients through is the reality check. We could identify a direction that in no way would be feasible from an economic, market or other perspective. It can be a damper but critical to know. This gentleman in this article likely didn’t do that and he will need to, in his mind, “settle” in his next job.

So – what do you do when facing seeking a new direction?

Be sure you do a reality check. Analyze and determine:

… What is the current job market for a person seeking this career direction?

… What are the future prospects for the chosen field?

… What technology or other advances may change the market opportunities in the future?

… What skill set will this career demand in the future that I will need to invest in?

You may not like the answers, but the answers will be your reality check and this is very important. Occupations and industries are changing and will continue to change. Remember the Travel Agent – the Typewriter Repairperson  - The Stenographer? All fell and continue to fall victim to a changing market and technology.

Do what you love yes – but be sure there is enough “love” to make it viable. Put the odds in your favor. And thank you for reading this. – Dan

PS: May you and your family have a peaceful and restful Thanksgiving.

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com

The only way to control your destiny – be in for yourself …

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to success is more important than any other one thing." --Abraham Lincoln

Short blog this week – down in Florida for a few days before the holiday.

Working for the man? Fed up with your boss? Just had it with the work rat race?

Fire Yourself – and be in business for your self – a little bit at a time.

Huh? Yes, that’s the reaction of a group I spoke to recently when I brought this topic up. I got those looks like …

"… okay Moran, what do you mean a little bit at a time? Have you lost it...?"

No not really. There is a whole new movement in the marketplace today – a movement that is being fueled by individuals just saying to hell with traditional work. They want to be in their own business, but can’t jump in right away at 100%.

They are the new Employedpreneur: The ambitious professional who undertakes launching and running a business while working full-time.

Some may, in the past, called this moonlighting – but that often meant a second job – for the “man”. This is different. This is setting your sights on being in full control of your destiny, driving your income, controlling your fate and building your gifts and fortune for the future – but doing so little steps at a time.  I am seeing this more and more in my practice and have advocated to many a client that this is their way to launch their own business or to test if their business idea or passion is economically viable.

Given the state of the economy and the anemic job market, self-employment is becoming an increasingly viable option for many.  More businesses have been born in the midst of recessions than any other period. Think Microsoft, Starbucks, PetSmart - yes, all born in recessions.  Also, the reality is that you don't need boatloads of money to invest in a business today - there are many opportunities that can be launched on very low budgets, if you are open-minded to new ideas.

Think of the possibilities:

• Like to cook and thinking about being a caterer? Rather than jump in with two feet and be all in – try catering a few holiday gatherings this year, see how you like it and see if you can make a go of it.
• Handy with a trade? Try a few projects (paid please) for others and gain, see if it “fits” you and if you can turn a profit.
• Like to write? Publish a blog – market it – and see how it is received and read in the market.

… and the list can go on and on.

There is even a web site dedicated to this new movement: www.launchwhileworking.com.

But what does it take to be successful in your enterprise?

No matter what scale you are at, one must:

… Listen to Advice

… Trust your instincts

… Have the ability and drive to take action

… Be willing to take risks – measured risks

The first step however – answer the big question: Is your own business right for you?

This is critical. Being in business for some is in perfect alignment to their personality and interests. For others, it is not a match. Get this answer first. If you can’t get the answer yourself, get professional assistance. I have used an assessment tool – the EA: Entrepreneurial Assessment – to help guide (or not) clients to their own business. There are other tools as well on the market; just be sure there is validity and experience to back them up.

Be in control. Drive your destiny. Break the shackles of traditional work and you will grow and prosper – and you will work hard!

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com

Values - they are changing -- and for the good?

Personal leadership is the process of keeping your vision and values before you and aligning your life to be congruent with them.  - Stephen Covey,

It is hard not to notice that our values have changed over the past few years or so. In many cases, what was important to those in career and life have changed - really changed - and what was important before isn't as important any longer.

Case in point.  I meet with many clients who tell me that the values they seek to pursue in their next career or their life isn't what we generally have thought about in the past.  In the past, it was all about the money, status and prestige as well as winning over others that drove career development and life choices.

That isn't the case today. People are thinking more about the real values that are important to them in their life and career, and turning back to those values that we learned from our elders. .

Value such as:
…  community
…  giving back to others
…  helping others
…  providing value in many a way
…  being good to others - especially those in need
…  protecting work-life balance
…  being close to family

… all have taken the forefront.

Over the past few years, I believe --- and countless people tell me - that it isn’t all about the money. Yes - money  plays a role, but it is less important. People are willing to sacrifice money for quality in their life and they are changing their lives to accommodate this.  

Some have said that a good recession molds people.

And certainly this recession that we all went through ( and many think we are still in) has done the same. It has caused people to think what's really important in their or career in and what they want to get out life. People have new focus - new goals - and new direction. They are in more control - and that is good.

On the treadmill?

If you've been caught on the treadmill of chasing money, chasing fame and fortune in your career and life it's time to reflect and think about what's really important. If you can get off the treadmill and really figure what's important to you, you will be in a better place. If this resonates with you, I would like to offer a few tips you to consider:

1. Do a budget of budget - This will help you really know what you think you need to make in $$$ vs. reality. I do this often with clients and find that the delta - the difference between the need to make versus the want to make is around 15- 20%  - lower. if you can think how to cut expenses and to trim those things just are not as important, maybe you'll find yourself able to take a job or at the minimum be open to more jobs that didn't have the compensation that you thought you needed. One client told me he would be able to save 3% of his paycheck by skipping Starbucks twice a day - that’s a win! He thought before he could not save anything. A bit of a sacrifice yes, but well work it (and likely better for his health too).

1. Evaluate your values - Understand your values and what your true purpose and calling in life is. This is  absolutely critical as many people don’t know this answer and they go around rather lost and without purpose or direction.  Sometimes it is not having the time to reflect; in other situations, it is the fear of making that discovery.  If one has passion and purpose in life and career, they will feel stronger, more in control and focused in thinking forward and not looking behind. Having trouble figuring this out on your own? Get help for professional in defining your purpose in your passion; it will be eye-opening for sure and put you on a new path.

1. Be willing to accept the answers - This is most critical and I see it often times with clients who are afraid to admit the perhaps they were going in the wrong direction and they take some time to adjust and accept  the fact that they need to redirect. Giving yourself permission to accept is actually critical. Once you do so, you free yourself from the past and, again, think forward.

If you are true to yourself, your family and to those things important to you, you will have passion and purpose and no one will stop you - no one will get in your way to trip you up; you just won’t let it happen!

And thank you for reading this … - Dan

Job Market report, November 4, 2011

A little bit better!
___________________________________

For Information: Dan Moran, 518-641-8968

November 2, 2011

Job Postings Up Very Slightly – Reversing Recent Trends   

(Albany, NY,  November 2, 2011) – Job postings were up slightly to just about 3800, up from 3600 the week prior reversing a downward trend seen the past several weeks. “Has holiday hiring begun and affecting the local job market? It may be that holiday hiring has finally kicked in and retailers and other businesses are starting to staff up for the upcoming holiday season, which was expected to occur for the past few weeks, and that is good news in an otherwise down market”, stated Dan Moran, Founder & President of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie. “We have watched job opportunities diminish in the region and as of this week across the State as well; maybe we are seeing a turn for the better which would be a good sight for the market and certainly job seekers”.

Holiday hiring is expected to be up from last year based on information released to the market. Federal Express lone is looking to hire 20,000 seasonal workers, a full 20% more than last year. “This can be a great opportunity to get back into the market if unemployed”, Moran continued.

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! &  Get Hired Now! programs.

For further press information: http://www.next-act.com/press_room.

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com